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Columbia County’s J5 Farms (Bryan Jones) received a County Alliance for Responsible Environmental Stewardship (CARES) Award from the Florida Farm Bureau. (ROB WOLFE/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County’s J5 Farms (Bryan Jones) received a County Alliance for Responsible Environmental Stewardship (CARES) Award from the Florida Farm Bureau. (ROB WOLFE/Lake City Reporter)

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Farms honored for environmental practices

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
LIVE OAK — Eleven North Florida farm families, including six from Columbia, Suwannee, Hamilton and Lafayette counties, were honored last week for their care for the environment.
Friends and family of William Powell Jr., the 18-year-old shot and killed in White Springs on Saturday, which includes Hunter Daniels, Stormy Smith, Jake Cribbs, Joedy Powell, Briana Powell, Jamie Blankenship and Sherry Blankenship wait for the press briefing to begin Tuesday morning outside of the Hamilton County Courthouse. (JASON WILKINSON/Lake City Reporter)

Friends and family of William Powell Jr., the 18-year-old shot and killed in White Springs on Saturday, which includes Hunter Daniels, Stormy Smith, Jake Cribbs, Joedy Powell, Briana Powell, Jamie Blankenship and Sherry Blankenship wait for the press briefing to begin Tuesday morning outside of the Hamilton County Courthouse. (JASON WILKINSON/Lake City Reporter)

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Two teens charged in murder of 18-year-old found in Suwannee River

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
JASPER — Two days after two teens were arrested for the murder of an 18-year-old in White Springs, Hamilton County Sheriff Brian Creech said those arrests should be a warning to anybody else who wreaks havoc on the rural community.
House Speaker Daniel Perez said extending the session was necessary because ‘I believe it is better to do it right than to do it fast.’ (NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA)

House Speaker Daniel Perez said extending the session was necessary because ‘I believe it is better to do it right than to do it fast.’ (NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA)

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Lawmakers returning next week on budget

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
TALLAHASSEE — House and Senate leaders said late Friday they had reached agreement on a “framework” for a budget deal that would include $2.8 billion in tax cuts, with lawmakers expected to return to the Capitol during the week of May 12 to negotiate details.

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10 big issues from the 2025 legislative session

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
TALLAHASSEE — Though they will have to return to Tallahassee to hammer out a budget, Florida lawmakers Friday night finished most of the business of the 2025 legislative session. Here’s a look at 10 big issues from the session — some that passed, some that didn’t and some that remain up in the air.

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No budget, means no end to session

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Friday, May 2, 2025
TALLAHASSEE — With House and Senate budget leaders continuing to struggle to reach agreement on spending totals and tax breaks, lawmakers will not meet next week. The 60-day legislative session was scheduled to end Friday, but lawmakers have blown past a budget deadline to make that happen.
Lincoln Gaddy shows off ‘Bone Snake,’ his custom diecast monster truck, and the championship trophy the truck won in OurTime4Adventures’ Kids Custom Easter tournament. Harper, his sister, previously defeated him in a 1-on-1 race on her birthday. (COURTESY)

Lincoln Gaddy shows off ‘Bone Snake,’ his custom diecast monster truck, and the championship trophy the truck won in OurTime4Adventures’ Kids Custom Easter tournament. Harper, his sister, previously defeated him in a 1-on-1 race on her birthday. (COURTESY)

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Racing down a ‘monster’ title: Live Oak child wins custom diecast YouTube racing tourney

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
LIVE OAK — When the two monster trucks approached the start line, the pressure was almost too much for 5-year-old Lincoln Gaddy to bear.
Suwannee Middle School teacher Tammy Neil (middle) gives directions to Lucy Kate Roberts (left) and Adelmary Jeronimo during broadcasting class Wednesday. Neil was honored as a top 30 influencer to watch by EdTech: Focus on K-12. (COURTESY)

Suwannee Middle School teacher Tammy Neil (middle) gives directions to Lucy Kate Roberts (left) and Adelmary Jeronimo during broadcasting class Wednesday. Neil was honored as a top 30 influencer to watch by EdTech: Focus on K-12. (COURTESY)

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Suwannee Middle’s Neil earns national accolade

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
LIVE OAK — There was no fanfare in earning national recognition for Suwannee Middle School’s Tammy Neil. In fact, Neil was on her way to work last week when she found out that she had been named one of the top 30 K-12 IT influencers to follow in 2025 by EdTech: Focus on K-12.
Live Oak City Manager Larry Sessions (left) listens during one of the presentations from state agencies about grant opportunities during the North Florida Transportation Planning Summit on Tuesday. Sessions was joined by Jerald Lee (second from left), the city’s public works director. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Live Oak City Manager Larry Sessions (left) listens during one of the presentations from state agencies about grant opportunities during the North Florida Transportation Planning Summit on Tuesday. Sessions was joined by Jerald Lee (second from left), the city’s public works director. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

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Summit offered chances to learn, partner

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
LIVE OAK — More than 100 representatives of local municipalities from across North Florida filled the Suwannee County Coliseum on Tuesday morning, hoping to gain valuable insight to securing grant funding for local projects from state agencies.
Wildflower displays welcome visitors to the Wildflower Festival at Heritage Park and Gardens last year. The festival returns May 10. A Chalk Art on the Trail will also be held this year on May 9. (COURTESY)

Wildflower displays welcome visitors to the Wildflower Festival at Heritage Park and Gardens last year. The festival returns May 10. A Chalk Art on the Trail will also be held this year on May 9. (COURTESY)

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Wildflower Festival celebrates nature, creativity

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
LIVE OAK — Suwannee Festivals invites the community to join in the fun at the Wildflower Festival and Plant Sale on Saturday, May 10, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Heritage Park and Gardens, 1004 Helvenston St SE, Live Oak.